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Inspired by the Olympics

This is a guest post from Victoria Welton who has a 6 year old daughter called Grace and writes Verily Victoria Vocalises

Last Summer Grace, like most other children, was inspired by the Olympics. She wanted to run, jump, ride and swim! But long before that, she had asked about ice skating lessons. She had ballet lessons when she was at nursery and then, for a while, Gymnastics lessons, but the passion for learning to ice skate had been there for a while.

So last August I gave her two options. Swimming or ice skating. She couldn't do both. When I explained that there was always the Winter Olympics where she could win a gold medal for ice skating that was it! She was sold on the skating idea and lessons began back in September.

We found a class and she was made to feel really welcome. Over the months she has progressed well. They held her back on the first term as she didn't quite reach the necessary standard that meant she was able to pass level one but, since then, her confidence has grown. In her second term her confidence was boosted by the fact that she was the best skater in the class. She is now on level 4 and is able to skate backwards, skate on one leg and do some small spins.

The teacher suggested that we didn't buy brand new skates as they would be stiff and hard to break in and may destroy her confidence. We were able to buy some second hand for just £15 (instead of £80) which have suited her just fine.

Skating has not only helped her coordination, it has given her courage and a confidence that she didn't have before. She is now very natural as she steps onto the ice and thinks nothing of falling over! During half term she went for a practice skate and fell over five times. In the past, she would have cried her eyes out but now she picks herself up, dusts herself off and starts all over again.She has always loved to dance but now this has given her an extra boost. She is able to spin and turn and look graceful.

When we move we will no longer be near a skating rink but Grace has already decided that she would like to go back to dancing which is something I am keen to encourage.I don't believe that she will ever make a world class skater but I do think that she has every chance of making a world class dancer. I think that skating may have just given Grace that extra bit of something that she needs to help her believe in herself.

Victoria Welton blogs over at Verily Victoria Vocalises. She is a self-employed driving instructor and part time actor and her blog is a finalist at the MAD Blog Awards and the Brilliance in Blogging Awards.

Were your children inspired by the Olympics? If you are interested in writing a guest blog on any activity or parenting subject do get in touch.

Best of luck in the awards Victoria.

Do you know of any high quality ice skating clubs, classes or instructors that you would like to recommend to KalliKids for accreditation? Leave a comment below or use the recommend feature.

Sarah Ryman

- Sarah Ryman

Sarah is a mum of 2 young children who blogs @afieldsomewhere

4 comments

  • Jaime Oliver

    11:14PM 24 May 2013 Reply

    well done Grace! a superstar in the making! xx

  • Verily Victoria Vocalises

    03:35PM 25 May 2013 Reply

    Thank you so much for publishing my post Sarah, I really appreciate it :) x

  • Coombemill

    03:41PM 25 May 2013 Reply

    Well done to Grace, we love ice skating too.

  • Jess

    10:54PM 29 May 2013 Reply

    Well done Grace!Im a real rubbish skater so I appreciate how well grace has done!

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